Hayes Hits Headlines Again

[BROWN TEAL]

Proof again that it is the man who brings credence to the degree, and not the other way 'round.  A dumbass with a Harvard and/or Princeton degree is still just a dumbass.  Likewise, the light of a gentleman and a scholar shines through whatever clouds others might wish to put on his degree.  Keep up the good work, Dr. Hayes.

Thanks Winston - yes, A FOOL WITHOUT A DEGREE IS A FOOL and A FOOL WITH A DEGREE IS STILL A FOOL!
The Pateke piece was published in the NZ Ornithological Society’s (OSNZ) quarterly journal “SOUTHERN BIRD” and has generated considerable interest - and actually featured in the centrefold.
However, the unique characteristics of the NZ Brown teal (Anas chlorotis) had to be limited in content - to suit the space available, so here’s what we’ve learnt about the unique characteristics since first meeting this bird in 1970:
• Nocturnal behaviour – was crepuscular, but now almost
totally nocturnal
• Monogamous relationship – extremely rare amongst all
species of dabbling duck
• Murderous nature when a pair bond has been formed – in
captivity it is essential to keep a pair confined to their
own aviary
• Long-term parental attention by both parents – right through
to the flying stage
• Great climbing ability
• Extreme vulnerability to predators
• Extreme vulnerability to being shot during the hunting season
• Failure to adapt to a changing environment
• Preference for estuarine habitat
• Colour, body shape, size, weight, courtship behaviour,
displays, vocal sound
• Pre and post-copulatory behaviour
• Feeding patterns
• What they eat
• Egg shape, size and weight – huge eggs for the size of the
female
• Colour, size and weight of progeny
• A specialised bill
• Flocking behaviour after the breeding season
• Strong preference for walking instead of flying
• Very long-lived in a predator free high quality habitat area
(we had a female in captivity that lived to 24 years and 3
months!)

This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides an insight into this unique New Zealand icon!